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21:39 11/18/78 00072 FBFBIWA00
TXT FBFBIWA00, DCDOS0000.
MSGNO 79-68, U.S. DEPT OF STATE, OFFICE OF SECURITY, WASHDC, 11/18/78
HQ, FBI- WASHINGTON, D.C. ATTN: * DIVISION 6
COMMAND CENTER, USDOS OFFICE OF SECURITY, WASDC
SUBJ: ASSASSINATION OF CONGRESSMAN RYAN (CODEL)
State Department Georgetown flash cable 03776 confirms the
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shooting death of Cong. Ryan from California, and other members of Codel, plus the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) and unspecified others.
The group was fired upon as soon as one 5-seat Cessna plane was loaded and others were preparing to embark the larger of the two aircraft.
One of the religious sect members had evidently secreted himself into the “defecting” group, entered
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the Cessna and proceeded to shoot everyone in the craft. This was a signal for other members to assault from an unknown position. This group approached the aircraft and fired upon Codel, and others.
As of this time DCM and Congressman (body) et al have been left behind as only the pilots and one wounded defecting member made it via the backup plane to Georgetown. It
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is not known at this time the condition of other Codel members. The DCM was last seen being struck by gunfire but ambulatory. Ryan was laying dead as the pilot took the back up plane off for Georgetown.
Any further questions can be answered by calling us directly at 632-2412.
END.
SA [name deleted] A/SY/CC 11/18/78 2345 HRS.